In the bestselling tradition of Why Nations Fail and The Revenge of Geography an award-winning
journalist uses ten maps of crucial regions to explain the geo-political strategies of the
world powers. All leaders of nations are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by
mountains rivers seas and concrete. To understand world events news organizations and other
authorities often focus on people ideas and political movements but without geography we
never have the full picture. Now in the relevant and timely Prisoners of Geography seasoned
journalist Tim Marshall examines Russia China the USA Latin America the Middle East Africa
Europe Japan and Korea and Greenland and the Arctic?their weather seas mountains rivers
deserts and borders?to provide a context often missing from our political reportage: how the
physical characteristics of these countries affect their strengths and vulnerabilities and the
decisions made by their leaders. In ten up-to-date maps of each region Marshall explains in
clear and engaging prose the complex geo-political strategies of these key parts of the globe.
What does it mean that Russia must have a navy but also has frozen ports six months a year?
How does this affect Putin's treatment of the Ukraine? How is China's future constrained by its
geography? Why will Europe never be united? Why will America never be invaded? Shining a light
on the unavoidable physical realities that shape all of our aspirations and endeavors
Prisoners of Geography is the critical guide to one of the major (and most often overlooked)
determining factors in world history.
